Flying machine



May 27 1924.

c. w.' QLsoN 'FLYING 'MACHINE May 27 '1924.

C. W. OLSON FLYING MACHINE led Dec. 9. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 GMM ArTQBA/z Ys May 21, '1924.

c. w. oLsoN FLYING MACHINE ,4 w t O ww IZ .n n W m e fr. n s f f 5 ISL Filed Dec. 9.

3A/3L W OLSON TTOfPA/EYS May 27 1924. 1,495,641

c. w. OLSON FLYING A`momma Filed Dems. 1921 5 .smpets--sheetl 5 /GMYQM ATTORNEYS Patented May 27, 1924.

CARL WILLIAM OLSON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application led December 9, 1921. Serial No. 521,237;

To @ZZ wil-0m t may concern Be it known that I, CARL W. OLSON, a subject of the Kingdom of Sweden, resident o f Minneapolis, county of Hennepin, Iand State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flying machines of the class generally known as heavier-than-air. More particularly this Vinvention provides such a machine adapted not only for horizontal or inclined flight but also for perpendicular flight. Furthermore, this presentinvention is adapted to permit such la machine to remain stationary with respect to the air or to remain in the'air and stationary above a given ground objective.

Broadly this invention comprehends the employment of revoluble wings or planes attached to a body structure and adapted upon their working strokes downwardly to thrustair with the resultant upward lifting or sustaining force acting upon the machine. The wings are so constructed and operated that upon their upward or 'non-working travel, they are feathered with consequent reduction of air resistance thus tending to minimize power losses and more particularly to tend to minimize any resultant downward force acting upon the machine. It may be `further noted that the wing movements are rotatory and vibration and losses attendant upon reciprocatory motion are eliminated. In conjunction with these lifting and sustaining wings there is also employed a common type of propeller to provide a means for the forward Hight of the machine while the usual rudders and elevators are also employed particularly to control forward flight in the usual manner.

The wings are preferably symmetrically formed and are actuated by a link motion Vto revolve about an axis outside of the plane of the wing while the wings are simultaneously rotated by the link motion to effect the desired feathering function. This is carried out by causing the wings to make a half rotation during onepcomplete revolution about the above-mentioned axis.

The object therefore of the invention is to provide an improved machine.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings therehas been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention,` but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within ythe scope of the claims which'follow.

In the drawings: L

Figure l is a plan View of a flying-machine embodying the invention; Y

Figure 2 is a view in sideelevation of the machine Shown in Figure'l; f

Figure 3 is a view vof the samevmachine in front elevation;

Figure 4 is a detailed view, partly in secl tion, showing the links of the wings;

Figure 5 is a view in end elevation showing one of the wings and links during upward non-working travel and the feather-ing action;

Figure 6 is a. view 'similar to thatof Figure 5 but showing the wing vwhen initiating its downward working ytravel in its cycle of movements;

Figure 7 is a similar view of the'win at a later stage when horizontally extended ;V

Figure 8 is a similar view of the wing at a still later stage when its working travel has just been completed and preparatory to non-working feathering travel;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the cycle of operations of a wing, the position assumed in Figure 5 being shown in full lines while those of Figures 6, 7. and 8 being shown in dotted lines;

Aigure l0 is a plan view of a modified form of chain and sprocket powery transmission for'the wings; and

Figure ll is a view in vertical section on y the line ll-ll ofFigure 10.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is disclosed a body formed of tubular metallic members to assure lightness, strength and rigidity. Preferably, the base is rectangular and formed of two beams l2 terminally coupled to the cross-beams 13 at the front'and rear of the machine. The two front uprights 14 and power transmission to they illustrating loo 'secured to the beams and cross-beams at the corners by means or' the T-shaped couplings 16. TheV upper ends of the Yfront uprights 14 are terminally received within the bosses 17 o? a metallic frame 18 having a bar 19 extending laterally beyond each side ot the rectangular base. The 'bar 19 is preferably integral with the frame 18 which carries a suitable base 'lor the propeller engine 21 which need only be diagrammatically represented. vThe engine-supporting iframe 18 is preferably also provided with integral struts 22 vFixed to the forward uprights 14.

The upper ends of the rear uprights 15 similarly are connected to a frame 23 which provides bearings for the rear transmission. The two upper beams 24 longitudinally ex@ tend and are connected to the front frame 18 and the rear Jiframe 23 and thus complete the main body of the machine. An operators seat 25 is carried by the forward and rear struts 26 liXed to the :forward and rear upriglits and by the supports 27 fixed to the beams 12 ot the body. The rails 28 provide a suitable Iejuard ior the operator. rllhe base 29 for the rear or wing-driving` engine 31 is carried by the engine frame 39. secured to the upper beams 24 of the rear seat sti-nts 26 and the rear upright's 15. .as here shown. there are preferably provided two engines ot the usual internal combustion type suitable for aircraft work. One engine 'Functions to turn the propeller while the other functions to actnate the wings. rlhe Vusual controls 'for Governance of engine operation are omitted in the drawings as too-wellknown to those skilled in the art to merit illustration and description7 it being' suiiicient to state that they are capable or' independent engine operation.

The landing gear here shown is that adapted for land work and it is obvious that the machine may 'be readily adapted for water-landing in accordance with present common practice whether by hull or pon-- Jfoon. As here shown axles terminally proiect laterally from the trent cross-beams 13 and wheels 83 are mounted thereon, vhile :it the rear of the body is journaled a single tail wheel 34 upon an axle carried by the extensions 35 and the braces 36.

This novel machine is also provided with the usual rndders for lateral change of direct-inn` the elevators for change of hori zontal diretion. and stabilizers Jiior lateral balance. The rudder 3i' is secured to the rudder-port 38 pivotally borne by he bar 89. of the rear frame'Q. This bar 39 similarly to the liront bar 19 laterally extends Ibeyond the main body ott the machine to carry the bearings 'for the wing operating` mechanisms. The usual elevators 41 are aiiixed to the transversely disposed post l2 Legami.

pivotally borne in the bearings 113 provided by bosses on the bar 39. The stabilizers 4l are fixed at their leading` edges to rods L15 laterally extending` from and pivotally carried by the base beams 12 as shown in Figure 2. The controls tor these three direction and balancecontrolling members are made in accordance with common practice and need not be shown as one skilled in this art may readily rig such controls.

The preferred type of Wing employed is one formed symmetrically with respect to its longitudinal axis. The wings 16 are similar and but one need be described. Ol the usual fabric-covered construction7 the leading` edge 47 is a rearwardly inclined substantially plane surface while the two transverse Working surfaces oit the wine' are concave. The wings are elongated as best shown in the plan view Figure 1 and are operably borne at each side of the machine to revolve about an imaginary axis and simultaneously to rotate.

'lhe wings are so mounted and actuated hat they comp-lele one revolution to cach ia tf rotation whereby the desired Yfeather- Y function is attained. The ivin` struc Vn e is preferably oli the common strul type wherein the straits are et a light metal such as'duralnniinuin while end plates 4S are pro vided at the Yfront and rear ends et each wing. These plates 1 -8 cooper-ably function as bearing ililatcs 'lior each ol the two rods lil which extend longitudinally through the wine-s arjaccnt their outer and inner edges. Such rods yfl-fl are shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in cross-section in Figure 11. These rods el() are substantially U-shaped with thn straight portions extending longit idii l through the Wings forming the i ny elongated base oi" the U while the anggularly A arms 5"] 'liorm the sides oli letter in question. il.. plurality of? bosse," 52 are provided on each plaie 18 through which the rods project and rf' bearings as there is relative rota 1 between the roos and the wing lilah arm 51 has a terminal ing-portion 5?) which is paralh gral rod 19. .is is sli/fwn in detail i` nre l, each bearingeportion is rotatably,r i naled in n bearing; 54 provided by the ing'` head which in turn carJier` L :ind is rotatable with the steld shaft 56 rota'able in bearings provided by lie blocks 5T preferably interi-:1l with and upwardly projecting` from the rear traine. The bear in@` head 55 is centrally a'ierl'ured 'to re ceive therethrough the hub .5Fl of the bevel fear The bearing head is jlixedly secured toy the bevel gear 5.9 by meairi o? the plurality of double headed rivets 61. The hub thus carrying' with it the bearing; head 55, is loosely ,mounted upon the stud lOO shaft 56. A bevel gear 62 is pinned to the forwardly terminal portion of this stud shaft and meshes with a bevell'pinion 63 pinned to the transverse sha-ft 64 rotatable in bearings formed by spaced integral brackets 65 projecting from the head 55. This shaft 64 has pinned thereto the similar terminal bevel gears 66 which respectively mesh with pinions 67 similarly pinned to the bent bearing-portions of the two wing rods 49.

The stud shaft 56 has pinned thereto, adjacent the loosely mounted gear 59, a bevel pinion 68 which meshes with the bevel gear 69 keyed to Vvthe rear counter-shaft 7l. This countershaft extends substantially across tne rear end of the machine and is rotatably borne by a plurality. of integral bearing brackets 72 upwardly projecting from the rear frame 23 of the machine. Adjacent each gear 69 on the rear countershaft 7l is keyed a bevel rear 73 which is arranged to mesh with and drive the bevel gear 59 whereby the bearing head 55 is rotated from the counter-shaft 7l.

The bearing heads and associated bevel gears, pinions and bearings are substantially duplicated at the front end of the machine and in the drawings are respectively designated by similar numerals with the exception of the front counter-shaft 74 rotatably borne by the brackets 72 integral with the front frame 18. Each of the front and rear counter-shafts T4 and 7l has fiX- edly secured thereto and therefore rotatable therewith a driven bevel gear 7 5. rlhe front gear 75 meshes with and is driven by a bevel pinion 75 fixed to the front end of the main power shaft 77 which extends longitudinally of Athe machine above the operators seat T he pinion 7 8 is similarly secured to the rear end of the main power shaft and actuates the rear driven gear 75fixed to the rear counter-shaft- Power is conveniently transmitted to the power-shaft 77 by means of thechain 79 driven by the crank-shaft of the rear or wing engine 31.

The crank-shaft of the propeller engine.

i forwardly projects and has the hub 81 of the usual airplane propeller' 82 fixed thereto.

ln operation of the machine, the wing engine 3l drives the power shaft 77 which synchronously actuates the two countershafts 7l. and 74 at the saine number of revolutions per minute through the driven bevel gears 75. The counter-shafts function to rotate the bearing heads 55 at the same R.. P. M. through the gears 7 3 and 59, while sin'iultaneously the four transverse shafts 64 of the machine are rotated at a rate which is twice the R. P. M. of the bearing heads These four transverse shafts 64 in turn, rotate the eight bent bearing-portions 53 of the wing rods 49 at twice the ll. P. M. of the bearing heads 55. The result of such timed actuation of the bearing heads 5,5 and portions 53 is that the wings 46 effect a half-rotation during one complete revolution about the axis of the stud shafts 56. Thus, as is indicated in Figures 5-9 in,- clusive, the desired feathering action of the wings is attained. ln Figure 5, a wing is shown in vert-ical position whereat the wing is presented edgewise to the travel of the Wing and air-resistance is minimized. At such position, the arms 5l,which function substantially as a link motion, are at right angles to the transverse shafts G4. In Figure 6, the wing is shown at a subsequent po sition in its cycle whereat the arms 5l are inclined with relation to the shafts 64 and the wing is outwardly projected and initiating its downward thrust upon the airy with the resultant upward lifting force/thus connnunicated to the bearing heads 55. A later position is illustrated in Figure 7 wherein the wing upon its working travel is shown in fully extended transverse position where-at its greatest lifting force is attained. Figure 8 indicates a position after the sweeping working travel of the Wing whereat the wing travels toward the side of the machine aifd is turned edgewise tocause its pointed leading edge 47 to cut the air as the remainder of the wine" area follows with air-resistance minimized. The utility of the inclined leading edge 47 of the wing is illustrated in the diagrammatic view in Figure 9. rlhe term leading edge as here employed refers to that inclined longitudinally extending edge of the wing which, for the time being, is in advance of thereinainder of the wing for, obviously, both edges so function at' diderent periods in the cycle of operations of each wing. i

il modified form of power transmission is' shown in Figures lO and ll. Therein, a chain and sprocket transmission is illustrated in place of the previously described bevel gears. The power sha-ft 77, rotatably borne .in spaced bearing brackets `84 on the rear frame 23, terminally bears a sprocket' 85 liz-ed thereto over which passes a chain 86 to drive one wing end. The adjacent wing end is driven through a gear 87 keyed to astub shaft 88 rotatably borne in spaced brackets 84. The gear 87 meshes lwith and is driven by a gear 89 fast on the power shaft 77. The shaft 88 of the driven gear 87 terminally bears fast thereon a sprocket 91 engaged by a chain 92 Vwhich at the other end of its travel engages a sprocket 93 fast on the stud shaft 56 borne by the'bearing block 57 on the adjacent frame. The wing arms are actuated by an epicyclic gear train. A large gear 94 is fixedly secured to a flange 95 on the block 57 by means of a plurality of rivets soY 96. The pinions 9T are rotatably borne by the bearing head 98 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The pinions mesh with diametrically opposed portions oi:p the gear 94 and each pinion is pinned to a bearing portion 53 of the wing rods i9 similarly to the pinions 67 ot the preferred form. Thus, the power shaft 77 may drive the stud shaft 56 thus rotating` the bearing head' 98. The head arries the diametrically opposed pinions 97 which are also rotated by their meshing engagement with the stationary gear 94.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

i. A flying machine having a body, wings rotatably borne adjacent opposite sides ot the body, rods rotatably mounted in each wing, one on each side of the axis oi. rotation ot the wing, a bearing head rotatably mounted on the body adiacent an end ot J each wing, each rod being rotatably borne by opposed heads, and means relatively ro tating said heads and rods.

2. A flying machine having a body, wings rotatably borne adjacent opposite sides ot the body, rods extending through each wing upon opposite sides of the axis ot rotation thereof, a bearing head rotatably .mounted on the body adjacent each wing end., each rod having terminal bearing portions rotatably borne by opposed heads and substantially 'forming links, and means for relatively rotating said heads and bearing portions.

3. A dying mach-ine having a body, elon`- gated wings rotatably borne adjacent opposed sides of the body, rods longitudinally Yextending through each wing adjacent the margins thereof, a bearing head rotatably mounted on the body adjacent each wing end, said rods having oiiset terminal bearing portions rotatably borne by said heads and substantially forming links, means for relatively rotating said heads and said bearing portions whereby the wings are sub` stantially horizontally extended during their downward working travel. and are feathered during their upward return travel.

l. A., flying machine having a body, elon gated wings rotatably borne adjacent opposed sides of the body, a bearing head rotatably borne by the body adjacent each wing end, a pair of link members rotatably borne in spaced relation by each wing end vand by the adjacent head, means for relay ine-aaai gated wings rotatably borne adjacent opposed sides oit' the body, rods longitudinally extending through said wings, bearing portions provided on each end of said rods, said portions being offset from and parallel to said rods, a bearing head for each terminally adjacent pair of bearing portions, said' heads being rotatably mounted on the body, and means for synchronously rotatingsaid heads and said bearing portions at relatively different rates ot speed whereby the wings are substantially horizontally extended duringl their downward' working travel and are feathered during their upward return travel.

5. it iyi'ng machine having a body, elon gated wings rotatably borne adjacent opposed. sides of the body, a bearing head rotatably mounted on the body adjacent each wing end, members connecting each wing with its adjacent heads to permit each wing to rotate on its own median longitudinal axis and to revolve about the axis of its adjacent opposed heads, countershafts transversely extending adjacent each end of the body and rotatably borne thereby, means operably connecting each countershaft and the adjacent heads and wing connecting members, and means synchronously to rotate both counte-rsha'fts whereby the wings are substantially horizontally ex tended during their downward working travel and are feathered during their upward return travel.

7. A lying machine having a body, elongated wings rotatably borne adjacent opposed sides ot the body, a bearing head rotatably mounted on the body adjacent each wing end, members connecting each wing with its adjacent opposed heads to permit each wing to rotate on its own median longitudinal axis and to revolve about the axis of its opposed heads, countershatts transversely extending adjacent each end of the body and rotatably borne thereby, means opera-bly connecting each countershaft and the adjacent heads andwingconnecting members, a power shaft rotatably borne by the body, extending longitudinally thereof and having driving connection for synchronous rotation ot each countershaft, and means' to drive the power sha-tt whereby the wings are substantially horizontally extended during their downward working travel and are feathered during their upward working travel.

8. A flying machine having a body, elongated wings rotatablyborne adjacent opposed sides of the body, a bearing bar rotatably mounted on the body at each end of each wing, each bearing bar being rotatably mounted at its center point on the body, a pair Vof link members connecting each wing end and the adjacent bearing bar, the link members being rotatably borne by the wing tially horizontally extended during their ends and bearing bars in spaced relation, downward working travel and are feathered means to rotate the bearing bars and link during their upward return travel.` f 10 members whereby each Wing rotates on its ln witness whereof, I have hereunto set 5 own median longitudinal axis and revolves my hand this 7th day of December, 1921.

about the axis of its complementary opposed bearing bars so that the wings are substan- CARL WILLIM OLSON. 

